Hospital ranks 1st for outpatient, 3rd for inpatient Care

By Mr. John Brooks (Army Medicine)January 31, 2014

General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital
General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital was ranked first in Outpatient Care efficiency within MEDCOM recently.

"We're providing better quality at lower cost," explained Capt. Philip Kaberline, chief of Resource Management at General Leonard Woo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. -- General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital was ranked first in Outpatient Care efficiency within MEDCOM recently.

"We're providing better quality at lower cost," explained Capt. Philip Kaberline, chief of Resource Management at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital.

But Inpatient Care here, currently ranked third by the MEDCOM study, could change dramatically with the addition of the hospital's Electronic Intensive Care Unit, launched for the care of Inpatients here Jan. 8, 2014.

"That's what we're expecting," said Kaberline.

The state-of-the-art eICU brings additional board-certified doctors and critical care nurses right into Intensive Care rooms here, electronically, and is the first-of-its-kind military-civilian partnership within DoD.

High-definition video and secure, real-time monitoring of vital signs, medications, test results, X-rays and other diagnostic information provide second and third-opinion care here that is typically offered at much larger hospitals.

The eICU also allows patients and families to stay here rather than being transferred to distant hospitals.

"Often times, if your family member is in the ICU, you stay with them," said Col. Marie Dominguez, hospital commander.

"Now, family members can go home at night, sleep in their own bed, and know that if something happens they can be back here in 10 minutes vs. a two-and-a-half hour drive to Saint Louis," said Dominguez.

Top Outpatient and Inpatient Care is also reflected in increasing enrollment numbers here, aside from the MEDCOM evaluation.

"TRICARE Prime enrollment has increased over the last 12 months, leaving only about half of the vacancies available that we had here a year ago," said John Ingersoll, hospital Clinical Operations supervisor.

"We have 250 more spaces available to enroll here in TRICARE (Plus)--and we want these folks back," said Dominguez.

"We strive to ensure that our enrollees and potential enrollees are cared for using the most up-to-date equipment and procedures," said Ingersoll, "so filling these TRICARE Plus and TRICARE Prime vacancies is our focus."

"More so, you should enroll because we provide the very best care available here."

Don't miss your opportunity to enroll. Watch the mail for an invitation from the hospital commander, a benefits flier, and an enrollment form with a self-addressed envelope. Fill out the enrollment form and drop it in the mail.

"Enrollment, or reenrollment, is easy," said Ingersoll, "and we're here to help. You can reach our Enrollment Support Team Hotline at (573) 596-0418/0727/0462 and we'll help you with the paperwork."

"If you're within 30 miles of the hospital, all you have to do is call TRICARE at (877) 988-9378," said Ingersoll.

"Closing this enrollment gap will allow us to retain, and continue to secure, our high standing in Army Medicine during this very-real era of the "use it or lose it" healthcare budget mindset," said Ingersoll.

Cashing in on our new capabilities and services is reserved for those enrolled.

"You can't win if you don't play," said Ingersoll. "So, enroll today."

(Editor's note: John Brooks is the marketing and public affairs officer at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital)